In a clinging white halter dress, Maggie ran her hands through her red hair. It was styled straight and fell against her shoulder. “It’s me.”
“What a shame,” said Caden. “It’s easier to walk away from the hologram.”
* * *
Not including the backstage incident, the all-day pageant went off without a hitch. It also went off without Caden. After he walked out on her in the stagehand hallway, he disappeared. The reception she received from the crowd outside and every time she came on stage was much warmer than the greeting Caden had given her.
In between sets, Gigi, from Gossip with Gigi, pulled Maggie aside to get the scoop. “Girl, your dress is fabulous,” said Gigi. “I know it doesn’t go with the theme today of turning the tables on the men, but who are you wearing?”
“Lexi Pendergrass-Reyes, of course,” Maggie said proudly, spinning around.
“Gorgeous, just gorgeous.” Gigi wrapped her arm around Maggie’s elbow. Her purple hair brushed against her shoulders. “Now let’s get down to what’s really going on. Who is this Rochelle who is out here spilling all your secrets?”
The camera’s light heated Maggie’s face. “Well, Rochelle is an old friend of mine,” Maggie explained. “We lost contact, and during my absence from socia
l media, feelings were hurt.” Maggie wrapped her arm around Gigi’s shoulder. “You know how us gals can get.”
“She got salty, though,” Gigi spat out. “I mean, she went back into the closet and grabbed a big old bone.”
“What?” Maggie laughed gaily. “That I had the hots for my fiancé? Gigi—” Maggie paused to make eye contact with the reporter “—can you blame an immature girl for talking about what she wants?”
“No,” Gigi answered slowly. “There’s been some mention about your statements being empowering. How do you feel about that?”
“Well, I can say I am embarrassed by allegedly crass words. It’s hard to call that empowering. I just did not have the appropriate words to express how I felt about Caden Archibald.”
“And how do you feel now?”
Maggie licked her lips and faced the camera. “I love him. Caden, if you’re watching this, I just wanted to say, I love you.”
“Awesome,” said Gigi. “Thanks for clearing that up for us.”
From the corner of the foyer, her parents, Kenzie, Richard, Kit and Vonna came over to Maggie once the interview ended. Kenzie wrapped her arms around Maggie’s shoulders. “I know that was hard.”
“Have you seen him?” she whispered.
Kenzie shook her head. “Not since this morning.”
Heartbroken, Maggie nodded and then held her head high. The show still needed to go on. “Vonna,” she gasped, “thank you so much for the cupcakes. I’ll write you a check later.”
“A check for what?” Kit asked, looking between them.
“The cupcakes,” said Maggie. “I put down a deposit Thursday night.”
Kit pressed her lips together. “Why didn’t you use the pageant account? You didn’t have to use your money.”
“I am not on payroll,” Maggie declared.
“Of course you are,” said Kit. “I had Jason draw up the paperwork to send it to your email.”
“Oh no.” Maggie covered her mouth. “I haven’t been on any form of social media in a while.”
“What are you waiting for? I can’t have my employees not being paid.” Kit patted Maggie’s hand before turning her attention Vonna. “Dear,” she said to Vonna, “I would pay triple for what you did.”
“Well, Maggie holds a special place at The Cupcakery and in my heart,” Vonna gushed.
“As well with us at the Southern Style Glitz Beauty Pageant,” agreed Kit. “Now come with me, Miss Vonna.”
The Swayne family gathered closer with the exit of the two women. Dalton Knight, Caden’s choice for emcee, announced the next competition. People began to head back to their seats.